Rear Outer Handle Removal/Installation: Notes

To provide enough work space when removing the rear outer handle, open the rear door glass completely.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the rear door trim. (See REAR DOOR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Remove service hole cover No. 1 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.
CAUTION:
- When removing service hole cover No. 1, remove it while gradually stripping the butyl rubber. Otherwise service hole cover No. 1 may be deformed.
Fig 1: Removing Service Hole Cover No. 1
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover.

Fig 2: Removing Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 3: Loosening Screw From Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The screw cannot be removed because the rear outer handle bracket has a stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
While pressing the rear outer handle bracket tab in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull the outer handle garnish in the direction of arrow (2) to detach the rear outer handle bracket from the outer handle garnish.

Fig 4: Detaching Rear Outer Handle Bracket From Outer Handle Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the outer handle garnish from the rear outer handle bracket.
While pulling the rear outer handle bracket pin in the direction of arrow (3) shown in the figure, pull the rear outer handle in the direction of arrow (4) to detach the rear outer handle bracket pin from the rear outer handle.

Fig 5: Detaching Rear Outer Handle Bracket Pin From Rear Outer Handle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.

Fig 6: Removing Rear Outer Handle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 7: Loosening Screw From Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The screw cannot be removed because the rear outer handle bracket has a stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
Pull the rear outer handle bracket in the direction of arrow (5) shown in the figure and detach the rear outer handle bracket hooks from the body.

Fig 8: Detaching Rear Outer Handle Bracket Hooks From Body
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Lift the rear outer handle bracket in the direction of arrow (6) shown in the figure to pull the rod out of the rod holder. (See REAR OUTER HANDLE BRACKET INSTALLATION NOTE .)

Fig 9: Lifting Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle bracket.
Remove the handle seat from the body.

Fig 10: Removing Handle Seat From Body
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Install in the reverse order of removal.